Ottawa: Hockey Haven

Ottawa is a hockey town. So whether you’re a spectator or participant, Ottawa’s the place to be.

Here are some of Ottawa’s hockey experiences that both die-hard fans and those with a casual interest in the game, will enjoy.

Ottawa Senators

Ottawa’s NHL Ottawa Senators team plays regular-season home games at Scotiabank Place until mid-April. Tickets for individual games are available at www.capitaltickets.ca, by phone at 613-599-FANS (3267) or 877-788-FANS (3267) or at the Scotiabank Place box office. Please call 613-599-0200 for season ticket packages, 613-599-0210 for group pricing information or visit www.ottawasenators.com

Ottawa 67s

Ottawa’s Ontario Hockey League Ottawa 67s team hits the ice for over 35 home games between September and March. For tickets, call 613-599-FANS (3267) or visit www.capitaltickets.ca.

Bell Capital Cup

As the world’s premier Atom and Peewee hockey tournament—and the world's largest ice hockey tournament—the Bell Capital Cup sees over 8,000 young players on more than 500 teams from around the world get together to celebrate the game. All-star games, skills competitions, and loads of friendly games are also on the bill. Dec. 30, 2009 to Jan. 3, 2010. Games are held at venues across the city. 613-599-0241.

Gatineau Olympiques

Across the river, Gatineau’s Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Gatineau Olympiques team plays several home games throughout the season. For tickets, call 819-595-7700 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca.

Outdoor Skating Rinks

Get outdoors and start your own game of hockey on one of the city’s volunteer-run outdoor skating rinks. Many Ottawa’s 246 rinks are open to hockey enthusiasts—skilled or otherwise—who are looking to play their own game. The city provides a complete list of rinks, along with details about their hours and facilities, or you can call 613-580-2590. Note that hockey is not permitted on the Rideau Canal Skateway.

Ottawa Hockey Trivia

Famous hockey players who came from the Ottawa region include Rod Brind’Amour, Fred Brathwaite, King Clancy, Marc Savard, Stephane Yelle, and Steve Yzerman. There’s a hockey arena named for Steve Yzerman as part of the Nepean Sportsplex complex at 1701 Woodroffe Avenue in the west end.
Pat Burns used to be a police officer in Gatineau but then led a productive career as an NHL coach, winning the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 2003 and coaching the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins as well.
There’s a great statue of Maurice Richard, famous Montreal Canadien player from the 1950s, just across the Alexandra Bridge in Gatineau (it will be on your right at the very first intersection as you get across the bridge).
You know that former Governor General Lord Frederick Stanley is the man behind the Stanley Cup. When he was appointed Governor General of Canada in 1888, he moved to Ottawa where he and his family became highly involved in hockey. Lord Stanley donated a trophy in 1892 which has become the ultimate hockey prize. He’s not the only Governor General who was a sports fan— Lord Dufferin built the “Tent Room” at Rideau Hall in 1876 to serve as an indoor tennis court; Earl Grey donated the Grey Cup in 1909 as Canadian football’s grand prize, and Adrienne Clarkson commissioned the Clarkson Cup for women’s hockey in 2005 (though it’s only ever been awarded once, in 2006).